PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - December 17

BANGKOK, Dec 17 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

TOP STORIES

- The high voter turnout in two days of advance voting was far from spontaneous and may have been organised beforehand, police and analysts said (BANGKOK POST)

- The Meteorological Department warned residents in the three deep South provinces to prepare for possible flash floods as heavy rains continues (THE NATION)

- Consumers rights advocates who have been battling against the privatisation of PTT PTT.BK are to ask the Supreme Administrative Court to issue guidelines for the planned transfer of assets back to the state (BANGKOK POST)

- The Department of Special Investigation has asked the Anti-Money Laundering Office to trace the money of a firm running a chit fund offering an unusually high rate of return (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- All major political parties aim to use transport infrastructure, in particular Bangkok mass transit, to revitalise the shrinking contruction sector, though they differ on how to pay for and manage the systems (BANGKOK POST)

- Energy management will be the main focus at Siam Cement Group in 2008, with all business units being required to pay more attention to maximise the benefits of resources, said SCG president and CEO Kan Trakulhoon (THE NATION)

- The Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand will expand its trading hours and introduced new products to help increase market liquidity in 2008, according to acting president Nitus Patrayotin (BANGKOK POST)

-The National Economic and Social Development Board expects to confirm the country's adjusted logistics cost to gross domestic product for 2005 and 2006 in the first quarter of next year (THE NATION)

** Looking for more information from local sources? Factiva.com has eight Thai sources including the Bangkok Post and Business Day.